By the 254.ke Newsroom
Harambee Stars play Guinea in Conakry on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in their second AFCON 2027 Group D qualifier, with kickoff listed at 7:00 pm East Africa Time (4:00 pm GMT) at the Stade du 28 Septembre. The match comes five days after Kenya came from behind to draw 1-1 with Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium.
When and where is Guinea vs Kenya?
- Fixture: Guinea v Kenya, AFCON 2027 qualifying, Group D, matchday two
- Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
- Kickoff: 7:00 pm EAT (4:00 pm GMT)
- Venue: Stade du 28 Septembre, Conakry
- Broadcast: Flashscore lists FKF’s social media pages for this fixture; confirm on the federation’s official channels on match day
What happened against Eritrea?
Eritrea’s Nahom Girmai put the visitors ahead in the first half on September 26. Ryan Ogam levelled for Kenya late in the second half, with match reports putting the goal at the 85th or 86th minute. The result left Kenya on one point after the opening round.
Coach Benni McCarthy said his squad had trained together only once before the game, following a week-long protest over unpaid allowances that had disrupted preparations, as we reported ahead of the match. “When you don’t train for four days and go into a match, you’re going to have shortcomings,” he was quoted as saying by SportPesa’s blog. The government later settled the allowances, according to The Online Kenyan.
The Eastleigh Voice reported that captain Michael Olunga was ruled out of the Eritrea match after stiffness, with medical scans showing strains, and that McCarthy said he was prioritising the striker’s long-term fitness. Flashscore, however, listed Olunga among the 24 players McCarthy selected for the two qualifiers, so his availability for Conakry is worth checking against the official team news.
Where does Group D stand after matchday one?
| Team | Points | Goal difference |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 3 | +1 |
| Kenya | 1 | 0 |
| Eritrea | 1 | 0 |
| Guinea | 0 | -1 |
South Africa beat Guinea 2-1 in the group’s other opening match. On September 30, Eritrea host South Africa, before Guinea meet Kenya the next day, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Does this match matter if Kenya has already qualified?
Kenya co-hosts the tournament with Tanzania and Uganda and has automatic qualification. Under the qualifying format, the highest-placed side among South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea joins Kenya at the finals. Kenya’s results therefore do not decide its own place, but they can shape the race for the group’s only other berth, and the games serve as competitive preparation for the tournament, scheduled for June and July 2027.
For coverage of the wider domestic scene, see our report on Kenya’s draw for the Africa Nations Championship.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Guinea vs Kenya kick off in Kenya?
Kickoff is listed at 7:00 pm East Africa Time on October 1, 2026, which is 4:00 pm GMT.
Where is the match being played?
The match is at the Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry, Guinea.
Has Kenya already qualified for AFCON 2027?
Yes. As co-host, alongside Tanzania and Uganda, Kenya qualifies automatically. The group’s other three teams compete for one additional place.
What was the score in Kenya’s last qualifier?
Kenya drew 1-1 with Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium on September 26, 2026, with Ryan Ogam scoring the equaliser.
Fixture details are drawn from CAF, Flashscore and Kenyan match reports as of September 29, 2026, and can change. Official schedule: CAF Online.
